Cheap for a reason

[EddiePJ]

In respect of tyres, I can fully understand Col's point of view.

When I was circuit racing, depending upon class, you were 'forced' to use specific brands of control tyre. In my case it was Pirelli, but on my size of bike Pirelli tyres were then dreadful to ride on. Not wanting to crash, myself and others would go to scrutineering with control tyres fitted, then swap for brands that worked. In my case Dunlop KR634's.
The concept of a control tyre with subsidised tyre price sponsorship is fine in theory, but it doesn't often work in practice. Sadly the sponsors money was more important than the riders safety.

 

[flecc]

Not sure there are many on this forum in such a fortunate position, most have a budget and finite funds. Never been irritated by lack of choice but sometimes feel ripped off when I find that I have paid over the top for something. When things get me down I think of those less fortunate and realise how blessed I am "Even with a cheap Chinese bike"

I also buy cheap when it suits, there's no way I'd throw away £40k to £50k on a snob value 4 x 4. I bought my new 4 x 4 for £15k three years ago and it does everything necessary. It gets me up my steep hill when thick with snow, comfortable, good handling, fast enough to go 50% over the motorway limit, why spend more uselessly?

But in supermarkets I can't be bothered looking at prices and like the best possible foods anyway. I suppose the price of 21 day aged and perfectly marbled "Ultimate" rib-eye steak would shock many, but I don't know how much it is, only know how good it tastes.

 

[RobF]

A few of you have accused me of gloating.

Utter tosh.

How can you gloat on a ruddy ebike?

It's only a heap of metal, whatever it costs.

There are people on here who have paid more for bikes than me, people who have paid less, people with more money than me and people with less, and so on and so on.

Who cares?

One or two don't like their opinions challenged and resorted to personal attacks, which is just moronic.

Back to the job in hand, I mentioned original equipment Kenda tyres which, sometimes, are tyres they don't sell retail.

Col from KTM mentioned the sidewalls, which is a particular weakness because of the weight of the ebike and the torque from the motor, if it's a hub drive.

Mountain bike tyres in general don't like lots of asphalt use, which is often what they get whatever bike they are fitted to.

Pogo stick suspension forks is another item of often cheap equipment, not that the ones on the Rose are brilliant.

 

[trex]

you still don't see it.
Probably more than 3 quarters of the membership ride Chinese rubbish, Ezee, Kudos, Woosh, Freego, Roodog etc, and also a lot of Bosch bikes fit Kenda rubbish according to you.

 

[Gubbins]

Wow!! Is it me, or is it hot in here?

 

[Cyclezee]

Wow!! Is it me, or is it hot in here?

Phill,

I do hope that when you do eventually get your pension later this year that you don't fritter it away on Chinese rubbish

 

[EddiePJ]

If a bike gets you out, gets you smiling then does the cost matter.

I'm sure that cheap Chinese bikes have done the above, and also through problems or not, possibly inspired the riders to later seek dearer options, and I'm also certain that cheap bikes have provided many business's with an entry level platform of new sales..

In the scheme of things, my BH wasn't cheap, and look at the hassles that I've had with that. Even on time alone, it has spent probably six weeks off the road, since I bought it last July, and the support offered has been dire. Certainly the component spec leaves much to be desired on a bike costing 2k. Even the new Haibike has today started 'popping'

After packing in racing, I slowly got a reputation for fettling race bikes, and then somehow mini motos. I hate the bloody things. Anyway, the one range of mini motos that I refused to ever work on, were the ones that came from China. Without exception, they were a crap and dangerous liability.
I not making a statement that E-bikes are like this, and to me, the two possible two main draw backs are probably weight, and sometimes dealer support.
Obviously this isn't always the case, and it would appear from this forum, that the dealers of cheaper bikes, can and are very passionate about them.
I can also see that to some, Chinese bikes could and do represent what might be considered a pleasurable challenge. Keeping a bike at it's optimum whilst remaining within a tight budget, can be seen as good fun.

I don't see any need for people to misinterpret what has or hasn't been said within this thread, and people should just be out there having fun, enjoying the ride.

 

[flecc]

Phill,

I do hope that when you do eventually get your pension later this year that you don't fritter it away on Chinese rubbish

That's right, avoid ordering methods like numbers 23, 58 and 104.

Menus should be in French, don't you know.

 

[Gubbins]

I think a lot of this talk about tyres bikes batteries etc, is a bit like drinking wine.. Someone once told me they don't like cheap wine! Why? I asked, "Because its cheap rubbish" was the reply! I am thinking its the same with this thread.. How can one possibly know without trying them all! Now I like cheap red wine, and after 4 glasses it all toasts the same anyway! That should have said tastes.. But its all the same.
I nearly went down a different road and had a good few conversations with Eddie at Sunstar who was very helpful, but in the end couldn't supply what I thought I wanted . I looked at 8 Fun on eBay, from their feedback I emailed 6 buyers, and all replied with positive comments, I did try another company who's name escapes me but I wasn't confident with their conversion, or how I perceived their conversion would be so ended up buying the Scott. Had I found this forum I probably would have converted my Genesis Alfine in one way or another.